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Benefits of Flaxseed Oil vs. Fish Oil

The benefits of fish oil are much greater than those of flaxseed oil. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are two of the important fatty acids that provide beneficial results for a number of health conditions. Both are found in fish oil, but not in flaxseed oil.

  1. Flaxseed Oil

    • Flaxseed oil contains alpha-linolemic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid that also is found in other oils such as soy and canola, but in smaller amounts. ALA does not provide the same benefits as DHA and EPA. Manufacturers of flaxseed oil claim that ALA is converted by the body into DHA and EPA. However, there is only a very small amount of ALA, less than 1 percent, that can be converted to DHA and EPA, according to Bella Online. You would need to consume flaxseed oil by the gallons to get the amount of DHA and EPA in a single 3-oz serving of salmon.

    Fish Oil

    • Fish oil does contain DHA and EPA and some of the benefits include reduced inflammation; lower risks of Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, stroke, prostate and breast cancer; relief of PMS and menopause symptoms; diabetes prevention and increased brain function. To achieve the benefits of fish oil, it is recommended that you eat fish that contains omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, sardines and trout.

    Cholesterol

    • It is well known that fish oil can help lower triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat that is stored by your body when you consume excess calories. Triglyceride levels are measured when you have a cholesterol screening. High triglyceride levels can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Flaxseed oil has little or no effect on triglycerides or cholesterol. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a prescription-strength fish oil for the treatment of high cholesterol. The drawbacks are that high doses of fish oil can put you at a higher risk of excessive bleeding because of blood thinning, and some people have the side effect of fishy-tasting burps.

    Heart Disease

    • Fish oil lowers the risk of death for people who have suffered a heart attack. However, research has shown that the risk of heart attack itself decreased by 59 percent when high levels of ALA were ingested over a six-year period. The ALA decreases C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker that has been connected with heart disease. This appears to be the only outstanding benefit of flaxseed oil.

    Flaxseed Oil Side Effects

    • Flaxseed oil can have some serious side effects including loose stools, excessive gas, painful inflammation and a higher risk of prostate cancer. Because such large quantities of flaxseed oil would have to be consumed in order to achieve the same results as those of fish oil, the preceding is not advisable.

    Warning

    • Before taking any supplements of either fish oil or flaxseed oil, you should discuss it with your doctor because of the possible side effects.

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